Dirty Beaches, the moniker of Alex Zhang Hungtai, is a project notable for its cinematic blend of lo-fi rock, ambient music, and evocative soundscapes that seem to draw as much from the raw energy of early rock and roll as they do from the haunting moodiness of film noir soundtracks. Born in Taiwan, Zhang Hungtai's music is reflective of his international upbringing, having lived in a variety of locales including Canada and Honolulu, before ultimately basing much of his career out of Montreal and then Lisbon. His nomadic experiences resonate through his work, giving the music of Dirty Beaches a sense of placelessness and timelessness.

The project's discography is diverse, but one constant remains: the exploration of identity and memory. The 2011 release "Badlands," Dirty Beaches' breakthrough album, drew significant attention for its hypnotic fusion of '50s and '60s rockabilly with a modern, experimental edge. Following "Badlands," Hungtai expanded his palette with the double album "Drifters / Love Is the Devil" in 2013, diving deeper into ambience and stretched-out narratives. The instrumental album "Stateless" in 2014 further showcased his range, focusing entirely on atmospheric, ambient compositions that eschewed the earlier rockabilly influence. Throughout it all, from the gritty "True Blue" to the dark contours of "Night City," Dirty Beaches’ music invites listeners into a realm of personal reflection and cinematic journey. Despite Dirty Beaches' disbandment in 2014, Zhang Hungtai’s musical and creative legacy continues to influence and inspire a realm of musicians and listeners who are drawn to his unique sonic territories.

Genres

Experimental Pop

Hypnagogic Pop

Noise Pop

One-person Band

Quebec Indie

Latest Release

Stateless

Dirty Beaches

Ep - 4 Tracks - Released November 11, 2014